The tech geek who does yoga for fitness

ISIS NYONG'O:

Age: 34

Residence: Nairobi

Education: Degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Management Degree from Harvard Business School.

Notable achievements: Recently selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Was named as one of “Top 40 Women under 40’ in Kenya by Business Daily.

Let’s quickly pluck off the feathers on Isis Nyong’o’s cap: Harvard and Stanford trained. Has worked in senior management positions at MyJobsEye, MTV and most recently Google.

Was recently selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Was named as one of “Top 40 Women under 40’ in Kenya by Business Daily, Top 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa by Forbes and Top 10 Women in ICT.

Serves on the board of the Africa Cancer Foundation. All these at 34 years, so yes, she is sharp as a whip.

Happily, in person, she doesn’t wear these achievements on her sleeves and when we meet in her office at Eden Square, she’s dressed down in simple black trousers and a black top, it seems only natural that we talk about food and other really trivial stuff like her car, a Toyota Rav4, which has it’s side mirrors secured together by chains. She laughs a lot.

----------------------------------------------

Are you seeing someone, Isis?

(Laughs) OK, fine, let’s cut to the chase, shall we? Yes, I’m dating and am quite happy.

Are you going to marry him, or you are just playing around with his heart?

(Mock shock) That’s an unfair question to ask a woman!

Okay, here is a fair question then. Assume hypothetically, this was a marriage interview and you were selling your qualities as a wife, what would they be?

(Laughs) Well, I have strong organisation skills, which means I can run a house very well. I grew up around boys that means I’m not a girlie girl, so I won’t wait for a man to do some things, so I can change a bulb or fix stuff around. So, no damsel in distress here. (Laughs). I’m fun and interesting. I’m well educated and smart…

You aren’t doing too well, Isis…

(Laughs) OK, my name, Isis, means the goddess of fertility, which means I won’t have problems getting children…

OK, I’m sold. What kind of a man would you settle for in holy matrimony?

Smart with a broad perspective of life. Someone with a global outlook of life. Passionate about his job. A kind person and someone who loves dogs.